Sangareddy: This time around, one can, without any hesitation, say politics took over the festivities as people were seen talking more about panchayat elections. Since the three phases of panchayat elections were scheduled exactly after Sankranti, villagers were planning to spend the holidays in meeting people and influencing the outcome of the elections in their respective villages.

Speaking to Telangana Today, B Mallesh, a native of Mahabubabad district and a resident of Patancheru, said people those who had interest in politics and also wanted to see their village progress in the right direction would certainly spend the time in discussing and deciding candidates.

A former sarpanch, Arutla Rami Reddy, said: “We would certainly welcome the participation of villagers settled in different parts of the country to express their opinions.” Since a good number of people who were living outside their villages were better educated and financially sound, Reddy said they would certainly have some voice in their native places.

The residents and non-residents would look at the things entirely in a different way. “When they come together to discuss and debate their village development, it would certainly help chart a better development plan for villages,” said another former Sarpanch Talelma Vanaja.